He came home moodily, and told Elizabeth that he believed he could kill any creature that hurt an animal as valuable as Alabaster. Elizabeth believed him, after what she had just seen.
Next morning Blair went over to bargain for the horse. Old Tom was disinclined to sell, and as he talked Blair grew paler and paler. At last old Tom declared that Sylvia might decide. He had told her the horse was hers. He didn’t care for the money particularly, although the horse was certainly worth a good price, and was very speedy, but if Sylvia chose to part with him it was all right.
Sylvia, on getting a message from her father, tripped down to the stable lot, where the two men were talking. The morning was warm and bright, even for the bright October season, and Sylvia wore a white dress and a large black hat. She had a wild-rose bloom in her cheek, and was altogether uncommonly pretty that morning. Blair was usually very observant and appreciative of women’s looks, but no woman that lived could have taken his attention off from Alabaster at that moment. Old Tom stated the case, and then walked away, laughing.
“You and Sylvia settle it between you,� he cried. “If she chooses to sell him I’ll take what you offered me. If not, she wouldn’t let me sell him for the whole of Newington plantation.�
“I wouldn’t either, if he were my property,� answered Blair, with a smile upon his handsome ruddy face that had, however, quite a strange look upon it.
“Now, Miss Sylvia, can’t you let me have him?� he asked, as soon as old Tom was out of the way.
Sylvia did not at all take in Blair’s intense desire to own the horse. “Why, Mr. Blair,� she said pettishly, “I want the horse. He is a splendid riding horse, and I have looked forward to having him for such a long time.�
Blair threw up his hands in a kind of despair. What creatures women were! Could they ever be made to understand the great affairs of life? Sylvia, who was quick of apprehension, caught in a moment the look which revealed an unsuspected turn in Blair’s character. His expression was desperate.
“But—but—do you want him very much?� suddenly asked Sylvia.
“Want him!� cried Blair. “Great God!�